The orders issued by the governments of Delhi and Uttarakhand under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 provide some clues. A lot of the elements are common. For instance, both states forbid the congregation of more than five people at a place. Both states have sealed its borders and forbidden public transport. And all violations of the orders shall be prosecuted under relevant sections of the IPC.

The Delhi lockdown order: Do’s and Don’ts

– No public transport services including operation of private buses, taxis, autorickshaws, rickshaws, e-rickshaws etc. shall be permitted. Only DTC buses shall operate at not more than 25% capacity to cater to personnel engaged in essential services.

– All domestic/international flights arriving to Delhi during this period shall be suspended.

– Construction activity of any kind shall be suspended.

– All religious places of any denomination shall be closed.

– People are required to stay at home and come out only for basic services (as enumerated below) within the vicinity of their residences while strictly following the social distancing guidelines issued earlier.

Closed shops at Connaught Place as the country observes Janata Curfew on Sunday. (Express photo by Abhinav Saha)

However, the following services/establishments are excluded from the purview of this order and shall continue to function normally:

The aforesaid establishments/services that are permitted to function shall strictly follow the guidelines and protocol related to social distance in, without deviation. People who come out to provide or avail essential services shall be allowed on their self-declaration. Any congregation of more than five persons is strictly prohibited and punishable. All employees of private establishments required to stay at home in view of this order shall be treated as “on duty” and be paid in full. Violations of the order shall be prosecuted as per the relevant provisions of law.

Coronavirus: A view of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during the Janata Curfew on Sunday. (Express Photo: Abhinav Saha)

The Uttarakhand lockdown order

– No public transport services including operation of taxis, auto-rickshaws will be permitted. The exception will include transport of all kinds to and from hospitals and airports. For to and fro airport transfers, caring and producing valid documentation is mandatory.

xvi. production and manufacturing units which require continuous process may continue to function, after obtaining the required permission from the District Magistrates

xvii. Manufacturing units engaged in production of essential commodities

Mumbai: A used mask dumped on the road on the Janata Curfew day. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Private establishments that support the above services or are linked to the efforts for containment of COVID-19 will remain open. If there is any doubt as to whether a service establishment is essential or not, the District Magistrate shall be the competent authority to decide. District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, ADM/SDM, Tahasildar and Executive Officer of Urban Local Bodies are hereby authorised to take all necessary actions for enforcement and implementation of the aforesaid measures. Local police shall render necessary assistance as and when requisitioned by the aforementioned officers.

The restrictions imposed earlier shall continue to be in force in the state and in case of any doubt, the state government shall issue necessary directions/clarifications.